Page 65 of Healed in the Alpha's Embrace
I swallowed hard, fighting the urge to shrink away from his fury. “George… he sent Malakai, one of his men... he tried to take me,” I stammered. “I screamed, used what I learned...”
“Fuck!” Noah roared, clenching his fists, his contorted face revealing the depth of his seething animosity.
I flinched. Adrenaline flooded my veins, my heart pounded, and my breath came in quick spurts. A flashback took over, forcing me to relive terrifying visions of George’s explosive temper.
But amid the torment of memories, I heard Noah saying my name, and it broke me out of my nightmare.
Regaining my focus, I found Noah kneeling before me, his hands outstretched cautiously as though approaching a wounded animal. When I didn’t move away from him, he cradled my face, his fingers tracing the contours of my cheekbones.
“Zoey, shit,” he murmured. “Zoey, I’m so sorry.”
I watched him closely. The rage was still there, but there was also guilt reflected in the denim blue of his pupils.
“I’d never turn that anger towards you. I’m pissed at the situation, not you,” he said. “You’re safe with me, Zoey.”
I believed him. In the chaos of my world, Noah’s word was the one thing I could trust without doubt. His promise wrapped around me like a shield, and for a moment, I allowed myself to lean into that safety.
“Ro?” I asked, my quivering voice betraying my fear.
“He’s okay. Sam has him. I checked after Jim called me.” He gestured vaguely towards the empty space where Malaki had disappeared. “Roland is fine,” he reassured, and the tightness in my chest eased into a relieved sigh.
“I’m going to take care of you,” Noah said. “I’m going to handle this, okay? George won’t lay a finger on you again.”
The tightening of my chest intensified as the cold snake of dread coiled tighter. How could Noah possibly handle this? It had just been a matter of time before George found me, before my carefully constructed safety crumbled to dust. The sight of Malakai in Boldercrest was a chilling reminder of the life I had escaped, and how easily it could all come undone. The dangermight have passed for now, but it wouldn’t last. George wouldn’t stand for it.
“I hate this, Noah,” I said, fighting back tears. “I thought I’d cover our tracks better than that. How did he find us so quickly? We ran so far. And still...”
“Hey,” he whispered, sitting beside me on the bench, his warm breath tickling my ear as he pulled me onto his knee, wrapping his arms around me. “So, he found you faster than expected. It doesn’t make a difference. You’re here with me now. And George…” His jaw clenched, a muscle in his cheek pulsating with anger. “If he tries to get near you, I’ll rip him to shreds.”
And just like that, the security he offered became my harbor. I believed him, every word. Somehow, Noah Alexander had become my sanctuary.
People slowly dispersed, returning to their homes and businesses. Noah thanked them while I sat in quiet contemplation.
“We need to tell my father that George sent someone to take you. Will you come with me?” Noah asked.
“I need to see Ro,” I insisted, attempting to release myself from his tight hold.
“We can pick him up and take him with us. My mom will be thrilled to have him around. I can take you back to Heather’s after,” he offered. “But I’d feel much better if you were with me, even if it’s just for an hour.”
Twenty minutes later, we pulled up to a massive house just as the sun started to sink below the horizon. As I glanced at Ro sitting behind me, I could see the conflicting emotions of anticipation and uncertainty on his face.
“Ready to meet my parents?” Noah asked, his casual tone masking his intense scrutiny of my face for any hint of unease.
Roland eagerly unbuckled his seatbelt and nodded, though I could feel a knot forming in my stomach. The idea of meetingNoah’s parents under these circumstances wasn’t something I’d prepared myself for.
“Lead the way,” I said, trying my best to hide my unease behind a smile for Roland’s sake.
The front door swung open before we could even knock. Angela’s warm smile immediately put me at ease.
“Nice to see you again, Zoey! And this handsome young man is Roland, I presume?”
“Hi,” Roland said shyly, clutching my hand.
“Come in, come in!” she beckoned, stepping aside.
“Zoey, you’ve already met my mom”—Noah gestured towards her—“and this is my dad, Christian Alexander.”
Christian stood behind Angela, a solid presence with a softness in his eyes I hadn’t expected. He and Noah had the same lean, athletic build and sandy hair, though Christian’s hair had noticeable streaks of gray.
